Assembly Incumbents Running Scared

Two lawmakers are locked in a desperate struggle to avoid being expelled by voters in the 22nd Legislative District, where there appears to be a growing mood to ‘throw the bums out.’

Assemblyman Jerry Green and Assemblywoman Linda Stender are attacking Martin Marks’ 12 year record on the Scotch Plains Township Council, nine of which he served as mayor, and making claims that the Republican wants to create new taxes based on a five-year-old news article in which the Republican speculated about alternatives to New Jersey’s sky-high property tax.

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The former Scotch Plains mayor and newcomer William ‘Bo’ Vastine say they are working for a more affordable New Jersey, and cite the fact that Green and Stender helped create current conditions, including the closing of Muhlenberg Regional Medical Center.

It’s no secret that one of the incumbents would rather not be running for another term. Stender made a high profile attempt to seek a pension-boosting appointment to a state government job after losing her second congressional campaign last year.

The two Republicans spoke out against Gov. Jon Corzine’s proposed gas tax hike, which Green and Stender would be likely to support if it comes to a vote in the Assembly.

“Our opponents have a history of voting to support Governor Corzine’s tax hikes and they will likely line up to support this one as well,” Marks said.

“Stender and Green have never met a tax they didn’t like,” said Marks. “In fact, there are over 100 separate taxes that they have raised and the staggering totals come to $6.4 and $8.6 billion, respectively!”

“I have been out knocking on a lot of doors throughout the 22nd District,” said Vastine, whose effort has been making gains in the district, where cities like Plainfield and Linden give Democrats a two to one advantage over Republicans in voter registration.

The four candidates are expected to appear at a forum sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Plainfield on Wednesday, Oct. 28 at 6:30 p.m.